Since its beginning, the United Nations (UN) has worked through its various agencies to bring assistance where people are hungry or lack shelter, education, or medical care. Over the course of many decades, humanitarian efforts by UN agencies have reduced and eliminated many deadly diseases, eased the distress of millions of refugees, and provided immediate aid during natural disasters. Readers will explore how the UN works to alleviate the effects of human-made as well as natural disasters in Humanitarian Relief and Lending a Hand, one of the titles in The United Nations series.

The UN charter and the UN's role in humanitarian relief -- Humanitarian assistance programs -- UNICEF -- The United Nations in action -- Time line -- Series glossary -- Further reading -- Bibliography -- Index.